The Testimony of Boss Man McIlroy

It’s July something, 2011. Hot as blazes. The chainsaw’s motor breaks down. Again. The mesquite wood is just too much. I bring it over to Richard who’s sitting in the cool shade of the carport. He attempts to tinker with it for a bit and firmly concludes that his brother, Sam, is much better at these sorts of things. We hop in his truck and drive to see Sam at his oil and gas business in town before heading over to Kenneth down at the Parkway True Value Store to get whatever parts we need. It's another day working for Major McIlroy.

Richard McIlroy, or Boss Man as I called him, never shied away from honest work nor did he shy away from sharing his life stories. His shirt would become soaked with sweat before taking his leave from the field and returning to the carport. We would both sit down around noon and have a sandwich together and discuss what more work needed to be done. He spent just about as much time working me out in the field as he did sitting and sipping ice tea with me. He told me about his time in Electra, Texas, Carson City, Nevada, and his time here in Iowa Park. His wife, Mary, was always in the back of his mind, followed by his children, Shari and Scott, with his granddaughters, Ashleigh and Aimee soon to come. Family was his way of life. He made it clear that life is best lived full of adventures, memories, experiences, sights, sounds, and tastes.

Richard was a strong and welcoming presence of the First Baptist Church in Iowa Park. As a Man of God, he taught me that faith comes before religion. As a Man of Principle, he taught me that faith must be lived outward and understood inward. As a Christ follower, he demonstrated that we have no life to live aside from the life that is given to us by the Creator. As a life-long-learner, Richard taught that sound doctrine is found when devoted disciples follow Jesus through his parables, death, and resurrection.

Richard could be found singing in the choir on Sunday mornings and fellowshipping with his dear friends on Sunday afternoons. During the hottest part of the summer, Richard & Co. would make the coolest decision to migrate to their cabin up in Colorado and enjoy more of the nature he treasured so dearly. Whether it was bird watching, rock collecting, fish catching, or conversating with people, Richard loved the beauty of life all around him.

Though I cannot speak to all of Richard’s biography, I know there are several people who can. In this way, a community comes together to write the stories of the man they loved so dearly much like the disciples of Jesus did for him.

I cannot write about Richard’s entire history simply because I do not know his entire history. I am not the expert on Richard’s life nor can I begin to understand the complexities of his experience here on this earth. His testimony comes through the way he treated me as well as the influence he had on others. But I do know one thing about the Boss Man: he loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart, soul, and mind.

When I received the news of Richard’s passing, I knew my final grandfather had gone to be with his Creator. His legacy is continually felt in our community and ripples across waters that remain unseen. His life magnifies the providence of the Lord and proclaims the news of our Risen Savior.

Richard, thank you for taking me in as your own and inspiring me to be the man I want to become.

Happy trails y hasta luego,

C. F. Watson